Vegas Weekender: Show-stopping fun in Sin City

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned tourist, there are plenty of great shows on the bill in Las Vegas over the post-Halloween weekend. The city’s entertainment scene is welcoming the new “Appetite for Democracy” residency with Guns N’ Roses on Oct. 31, but some other great gems – like “Vegas! The Show” – are not to be missed. Plus, along with the World Food Championships, cool events are planned in several restaurants, clubs and bars on the Strip.

Wish you could experience Las Vegas’ golden past? Head to “Vegas! The Show” at the Saxe Theater inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. You’ll see depictions of the legends of the city – from the Rat Pack and Elvis to Tom Jones and Cher. The specialty acts, tap-dancing twin brothers Sean and John Scott as well as the Sandou Trio Russian Bar Act, add to the high-energy entertainment. “Vegas! The Show” runs nightly at 7 and 9 p.m.

Eddie Vedder will be in the Pearl at the Palms on Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. Best known as the lead singer of Pearl Jam, he has a collection of solo work and contributes to soundtracks and albums by other artists as well.

Have an “Appetite for Democracy?” Get tickets to see Guns N’ Roses in The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The heavy rockin’ band known for such hits as “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Welcome to the Jungle” will begin a residency at the resort that will run Oct. 31 – Nov. 24. You can listen to them Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. or this weekend, Nov. 2 – 3 at 10 p.m.

Bestselling female recording artist in history Barbra Streisand to appear at the MGM Grand Garden Arena

Mark Chesnutt is performing at the Veil Pavilion in the Silverton on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. The country music star has landed 22 singles in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Country Songs chart – and nine of those have become No. 1 hits.

Barbra Streisand is making a rare appearance in Las Vegas. The revered singer who has recorded 50 studio albums and won 15 Grammy Awards will be in the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m.

Singer Alex Christopher, who was born in Las Vegas but raised in Europe, will show off his powerful voice during a free concert held in the intimate new Vinyl venue at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. He’ll present a variety of music, ranging from jazz and well-known standards to a few of his own originally penned songs.

Latin American pop singer Alejandra Guzman, crowned the “Queen of Rock” in the Hispanic world, has scheduled a stop at the LVH – Las Vegas Hotel & Casino on Nov. 2 at 9 p.m.

HBO late-night talk show host and comedian Bill Maher

Get ready to laugh it up with an array of hilarious comedians this weekend. Ray Romano will take the stage in the Terry Fator Theater at The Mirage on Nov. 2 – 3 at 10 p.m. nightly. Tim Allen ratchets up the humor at The Venetian on Nov. 2 – 3 at 9 p.m. nightly. The glamorous Natasha Leggero brings her mischievous observations to the Riviera on Nov. 2 – 4 at 10:30 p.m. nightly. No one could be funnier than Bill Maherin the days leading up to the presidential election. He’ll be headlining The Orleans on Nov. 3 – 4 at 8 p.m. nightly.

On Nov. 3, country singer Eric Church brings The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour to the Mandalay Bay Events Center at 7:30 p.m. Expect to hear songs spanning all three of his chart-topping albums: “Sinners Like Me,” “Carolina” and the recently released “Chief.”

Catch a free performance by The Drowning Man, a band featuring childhood friends Nato Bardeen, Rory Dolan and Todd Eisenkerch along with Gabe Messer and James Smith, in The Lounge at the Palms on Nov. 3. The music begins at 10 p.m.

Enjoy the weekly Forbes Fridays party with DJ Eric Forbes and the sexy model servers in Tabú, the stylish ultra lounge at MGM Grand. Doors open at 10 p.m.

Music and good times will be all the rage in Surrender at Encore this weekend. Afrojack is hosting a night dubbed “Jacked” with an opening set by Quintino on Nov. 2. Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike will continue the party on Nov. 3. Doors open at 10:30 p.m. both evenings.

Marquee Nightclub in The Cosmopolitan will be abuzz with tunes spun by German trance music DJMarkus Schulz on Nov. 2 beginning at 9:30 p.m. Following in his footsteps is Erick Morilla, a house music virtuoso, on Nov. 3 at 9 p.m.

Dining

Enjoy a special prix fixe dinner at Fleur by Hubert Keller in Mandalay Bay

Celebrity chef Hubert Keller is releasing a new cookbook called “Souvenirs: Stories & Recipes from My Life.” It gives his personal account of navigating the culinary scenes of France, South America and the United States. On Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Keller will host a special prix fixe dinner at Fleur in Mandalay Bay featuring recipes from that cookbook. The cost is $85 per person (or $120 with an autographed copy that will be signed tableside by Chef Keller). Call (702) 632-9400 to make a reservation.

Don’t miss the first ever World Food Championships. Adam Richman, who appears regularly on the Travel Channel and Food Network, will be hosting the four-day food festival and cooking competition with a prize purse of $300,000. A reception kicks things off Nov. 1 by the pool at Paris Las Vegas from 7 – 10 p.m., with proceeds benefitting Keep Memory Alive. The World Burger Extravaganza is set for Nov. 2, while Feast Under the Stars with delicacies of every kind will take place Nov. 3. Both of these events are being held at Bally’s from 7 – 10 p.m. Then, the Final Table, during which the World Food Champion will be crowned, takes place Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Cooking Coliseum (a facility being set up in front of Caesars Palace’s main valet).

I’m a Las Vegas native. By profession, I write at Vegas.com. Mostly about the city’s hotels, but on other topics – gaming and transportation – too. I really love staying at hotels. And the ones here are among the biggest and best in the world. Some key things I’ve learned: Resort fees are inescapable (frustrating but true), a friendly attitude at the front desk may score you a great view and over-the-top room amenities – bath butlers, Japanese tea service, menus with “intimate” items – do exist. What else should you know about me? Well, I’m comfortable at a blackjack table. And I like eating late-night pancakes in hotel coffee shops. A lot. Follow Renee on Google+.